Our Projects

electric car charging
Iron bridge, River Severn

CLiCC Climate Change Centre

CLiCC Climate Change Centre with a focus on innovation and Skills Development for the Environment Agency – DEFRA funded

The River Severn Partnership Centre for Living with Climate Change (CLiCC) is dedicated to uniting the water management sector and creating a visitor attraction that will elevate the region’s international reputation. This initiative aims to establish the Severn basin as a hub for water expertise, driving business identity, job creation, and professional development in the area. By addressing skill gaps and fostering increased interest and visitation, CLiCC will play a vital role in regional growth. The project is using a Quadruple Helix approach, prioritising people to generate innovative ideas, technologies, and solutions. It is a three-year project, launched in June 2024, in collaboration with a wide range of partners.

Aim:

To enhance the Severn basin’s international reputation for water management expertise, address resource gaps, and promote economic and community benefits by delivering climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Objectives:

  • Develop Skills and Talent: Grow a pipeline of skilled professionals through the River Severn Partnership, LSIP, Shropshire Council, Powys Council, the Environment Agency, schools, FE colleges, and local universities.
  • Offer a 15+ Career Pathway Course to spark sector interest
  • Create career-ready graduates through relevant modules
  • Develop practical environmental skills via professional development opportunities
  • Research and Roadmap Development:
    • Review existing innovation centres and approaches
    • Establish a local vision to increase buy-in
    • Conduct feasibility studies and cost analysis
  • Knowledge Sharing and Communication: Share findings and progress with partners, funders, and stakeholders.
  • Lead in Climate Resilience: Play a central role in generating climate resilience both regionally and nationally
chicken farm

Innovate UK Life cycle assessment (LCA)

Innovate UK, a part of UK Research and Innovation, is a non-departmental public body funded by the UK government. Its mission is to drive productivity and economic growth by helping businesses develop and unlock the potential of new ideas, including those emerging from the UK's world-class research base.

CREST is collaborating with several agricultural-based businesses to assess the environmental sustainability of their products and processes, helping quantify their benefits to society and contribute to the net zero journey. Our work spans partnerships across farming, artificial intelligence systems, feed suppliers, processors, and supermarkets to enhance the entire poultry supply chain. We actively integrate industry stakeholders' insights to shape our models and strategies."

a rural road with blue skies and fields either side

LoCII - Low Carbon Innovation Institute

We’re working with the Focus North Network, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)to develop and promote a Low Carbon Innovation Institute. The work funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the University for Chester is using the Quadruple Helix model to help Innovate the North Highlands future based around climate change decisions and actions. Partners include:

  • The Centre for Research into Environmental Sustainability Transitions (CREST) - University of Chester
  • The Environmental Research Institute (ERI) - University of the Highlands and Islands
  • Highlands and Islands Enterprise
  • Highland Council
  • Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
  • Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd
  • Skills Development Scotland
  • Caithness Chamber of Commerce

This project aims to establish and support a Rural Innovation Institute in Caithness and Sutherland at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), known as LoCII. The institute will be part of a tri-network partnership with similar centres at Bangor University in Wales (M-Sparc) and the University of Chester in England (CLiCC). Together, these centres will collaborate to drive rural innovation and sustainability.

Objectives:

  • Create a Collaborative Environment: Develop a dynamic, real-world SMART Innovation Centre where stakeholders can co-develop, test, and refine ideas to address local challenges
  • Sustainability-Focused Innovation: Establish an innovation centre built around sustainability, co-created with the local community using a quadruple helix approach
  • Knowledge Sharing and Engagement: Share insights and learning across the UK-based tri-network of rural centres through public engagement, knowledge exchange, social media, and publications